Marine propulsion



Jan, 19 1926.

J. P. HENDRlcKsoN MARINE PROPULSION Filed May 18, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i .Mtg

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J. P. HENDRICKSON MARINE PnoPULsIoN Filed May 18, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 11-9 5 192s. 1,570,146

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JILZLZUL Hendrz'clwow.

Patented Jan. 19, 1926.

UNITED STATES vPa'rlnxrOFFICE.-

JULIAN P. HENDRICKSON, 0F CHEEALIS, WASHINGTON.

MARNE PnoPULsroN.

Application led May 18, 1925. Serial No. 31,138.

This invention relates to improvements in marine propulsion, having for an object to provide a novel form ofV motive means for marine vehicles whereby with initial propulsion or operation of the same through a. body of water at proper speed, a portion of said water will be injected into the motive 1 means withforce or velocity sutlicient to operate the same independently of any'extraneous or auxiliary motive means, vhence, permitting such'vehicle to be successfully driven'through the power so generated.

It is likewise an equally yimportant object of the invention to provide a motive means for marine propulsion utilizing a novel form and arrangement of water or fluid injector means, whereby a portion of the water through which the marine vehicle is being driven will 4be taken up by saidy injector means during movement of the vehicle and conveyed with suliicient force or power for discharge onto the rotor of a suitable turbine motive means whereby to effect the desired drive of the propeller carrying shaft; such injector means being so arranged as to permit of the transmission of either forward or reverse rotary motion to said propeller carrying shaft.

Another and equally important object of the invention is to provide the improved motive means with al form of water or uid urging means, functioning to draw va sufficient quantity of water to Athe injector means to ensure proper loperation lof the motive means supplied thereby, irrespective of rolling or other body'displacing movement of the equipped vehicle; v

Other objects of the invention will bein part obvious, and in part pointed out hereinafter. v 'i ,In ,order that the invention and its'mode of operation maybe readily understood by personsslrilled in the art, I have in the accompanying illustrative'y drawings, and inthe detailed following description based thereupon, set out one possible embodiment of the same.

In these drawings Figure lis a fragmentary horizontal section through a boat equipped with the in' vention; Y

Figure 2 is a fragmentaryvelevation of the same, the intermediate portion of the boat being broken away and shown in section;

` Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section through one of the water turbines for propelling the boat; and,

' Figure 4 is afragmentary detail in vertical section, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3' looking in the direction which the arrows-point.

rHaving more particular reference to the drawings, in connection with which like characters yof reference will designate corresponding parts throughout, the lhull of the equipped boat is indicated herein in its entirety, by the numeral l, it being noted in this connection that both' the bow and stern portions of such hull are tapered, as

lindicated by the numeral 2, the stern portion of the hull being provided with a suitable propeller 3, carried upon the usual longitudinally disposed propeller shaft 4 extending through suitable water-tight packing into and through the 'boat hull, as is shown in the Figures l and 2, while a rudderor other steering medium 5 is likewise mounted adjacent the stern portion for obvious purposes.

'Mounted in juxtaposed relation upon a suitable bed or support arranged upon the hull bottom is a plurality of rotary water or Huid turbines generally indicated herein by the numerals 6 and 7 the turbines 6 serving to transmit forward rotary motion to the propeller shaft 4 to which its rotor is connected, while the turbine 7 is adapted to transmit reverse rotary motion to said propeller shaft 4. In this connection, attention is directed to the fact that a portion of the propeller shaft 4 is extended through the casing of the turbine 6 and carries an immovable clutch segment 8 thereon, this clutch segment being adapted to be engaged by a shiftable or movable clutch element 9, operable through suitable means indicated by the numerall 10, such movable clutch element 9 being mounted for movement upon a shaft 11 extending-from the concentric portion of the turbine housing 7 and of course,L being tixedly connected to the rotor thereof. Normally, it will be understood that the movable clutch element 9 is disengaged from the immovable clutch element 8 mounted upon the extended end of the propeller shaft l and hence, the uninterrupted or unimpeded transmission of forward rotary motion to such propeller shaft will be permitted. However, with engagement of the movable clutch element 9 with the immovable clutch element 8, the forward motion transmitting turbine 6 is renderedinoperative, while the reverse motion transmitting turbine'7 is rendered operative, thereby transmitting reverse rotary motion tothe propel-ler carrying shaft 4f.

llitha view towardsA supplying` the turbincs andv 7 with motivel power, afp'lurality of tubular injector devices 12 and 13 are vprovided, these injector devices tapering' inwardly throughout their respectiveY lengths and being tixedlj-J supported within and disposed longitudinally ot' the boat hull 1; the rearward ends thereof communicatimc,r through elbow-like extensions 14 and 15, respectively, with the fluid or motive means intake ports ot' said tis`rbines6 and 7. The forward portions of the several injector devices "i2 and 153 are formed with opposed outwardly curved neel-s or extensions 16 and 17, theends of which open onto a tapered side 2 of the bow and stern portionslof the boat hull 1, thus providing" effectual water intake ports 18 for the same, which, as will be noted, are of substantially oval-shaped formation whereby to ensure of the passage of a sufficient volume or quantity of water thereinto and through their respective inwardly tapering?,` injector devices 12 and 13.

To permit of eti'ectual controlfof the discharge of water from the injector devices 12 and 13 by waiv of their respective elbow eX- tensions 1-1 and 15 into the turbines 6 and 7 whereby the same may be caused to be' selectively operated valves are arranged in suitable casinos adjacent tor` and communicatinn` with the inner extremities of such i jector devices andv are provided with suitable .iiandlcs 2() to facilitate their'operation,

,it times during' the passageor travel of the equi; 'fed boat through water,it will lic-ajipreciatcd that the same will be caused to roll byreason of various disturbances upon the water surface and inv order that nach rollingrwill not materially interfere with the intalrinc-` ot' water through the then functioning;injector devices 12 0r 13, I may andpre-ferablv do tap onto the inner portions of.v such ldevices 12 and 13 the opposite cxtremities'of a Substantially U-shaped pipe or conduit21, connectinnti'the intermediate portion of said conduit to a suitable T- coupling or similar means, such as indicated by the numeral 22, to a suction creating motor operated pump 223. rllhus, it will be understood that with the setting up of a vacuum or partial vacuum through the suction creating' pun'ip 23 in the inner ends of the injector devices 12 and 13, the particular injector devices then functioning will be caused to draw a quantity of water through its particular intake ports 18 for discharge into the casing` of its respective turbine underv velocity suiiicient to ensure continued operation of the same.

fin auxiliary motive means, preferably in forni of az small internal combustion engine, indicated generally herein by the numeral 2i', is mounted upon that bed carryingfthe turbines 6 and 7 within the boat hull and is connected to' a suitable form of air compressor which compressor in turn, is adapted to` discharge air dispensedthereinto a suitable storar,- tanl or reservoir 26 also supported upon and within the intermediate portion of the hull 1. An outlet conduit 27 is provided this reservoir 26 and communicates with the intermediate portion of a substantially lJ-shapcd` conduit 28, the free open extremities of which discharge into the adjacent portions of the inner ends of the several injector devices 12 and 13; suitable forms of manually operable valve means 29 being' interposed in the several branches of the U-shaped conduit 28 in order that the control. or passageof compressed air into the several injector devices 12 and 13 may be control-led or regulated at will by an operator.

1t may be also noted at this point that the t-urbines6 and 7 are provided with curved water discharging); conduits 30 and 31, the lower or free curved end of the conduit 30 connected to the forward motion transmittinel turbine 6 beiner disposed rearwardly of the hull 1, while the similar portion of the conduit 31connected to the reverse motion transniiittinnturbine 7 isidisposed forwardly of said hull l1, as isf clearly shown in the Figure 2. Flap valves-32 are4 pivotally or hingedlv connected to the open lowerends of the several water 'dischaigfring-` conduits 30 and 31 and ,obviously` will prevent the passare orintalrinnj `of water into the casing of the-particularly inactive turbine 6 'or 7.

The modus operandi of the invention may be reviewed as follows:

To initially propel the equipped marine vehielethrough a body of water at a. speed sutiicient to bring about injection of water under a force or velocity suflicient to set up operation of the main motive means, air of proper pressure is storedin the reservoir 26 through the motor 27 and the compressor 25 connected'thereto. At this time, one ofthe hand operable valves 29 is opened, this dep'endingnpon the direction in which the equipped marineV vehicle is to be driven.

Thus, if the vehicle is to be driven forwardly i through a body of water, that Valve29 con- `engaged in the trolling communication with the injector device 12 is opened, thus permitting discharge of air under pressure ontothe rotor of the forward motion transmitting turbine 6, and hence, effecting rotation of the same in a forward direction whereby to similarly rotate the propeller carrying shaft 4 to drive the vehicle or boat. Villen travel of the equipped boat through a body of water at the proper speed has been attained, the discharge of compressed air into the turbine 6 may be discontinued by closing the aforesaid valve 29. At this time, the intake ports 18 of the'respectivebranch extension 16 of the injector device`- 12 will have water passing therethrough and through said injector device under a pressure or force sufficient that with its discharge by way of the elbow 14 into the turbine casing 6, the rotor of such turbine will be caused to rotate at a velocity q sufficient to maintain successful operation of thepropeller shaft 4 and its propeller 3. By controlling the passage way for the incoming water by the valve 19 of the injector device 12, it will be understood that the speed of the forward motion transmitting turbineA 6 may be regulated at will by an operator. If desired, rotation of the turbine may be completely discontinued merely by fully closing this particular valve. When it becomes desirable to propel the equipped boat through a body of water in a reverse direct-ion, the control valve 19 of the injector means 12 is of course completely closed, and at this time, that hand operable valve 29 communicating with the'injector device 13 is opened whereby to permit the flow of a sufficient quantity of compressed air through its particular branch of the conduit 28 into said injector device 13 and from thence, onto the rotor of the reverse motion transmitting turbine 7 through the elbow 17. In this way, it is manifest that reverse rotary motion will be imparted to the rotor of the turbine 7 and at this time, the movable clutch element 9 is immovable clutch element 8 upon the propeller shaft 4 through the shifting mechanism 10. Consequent upon this connection, reverse rotary motion will be transmitted to the propeller shaft 4 whereby to effect functioning of the propeller 3 in a manner to impart reverse travel to the equipped boat. As in the case of initially driving the equipped boat in a forward direction, with travelling of the boat in a reverse direction for a time sufficient to attain proper speed, the hand controlled valve 19 communicating with the injector device 13 is gradually opened, while the hand controlled valve 29 communicating with said injector device 13 is closed. With opening of the control valve 19, just mentioned, it will be understood that a flow of water through the travel of the boat in a corresponding direction through the body of water. yThe speed of this reverse drive or movement of the boat may, of course, be regulated by an operator, at will, merely by corresponding adjustment of the control valve 19 of said injector device 13. c,

- As hereinbefore stated, there willbe times during travel of the boat through a body of water when means will be desired or reuired for maintaining a constant flow of water through either of the injector devices 12 and 13 and for accomplishing these ends, it is only vnecessary that the motor 23 of the suction creating pump he started whereby to produce a partial vacuum or suction in the particular injector device 12 or 13 through which water is to be passed. By setting up this suction in either of the injector devices, it will be appreciated that a continuous flow of water through the same will be urged and that such flow will be sufficient, atall times, to maintain proper operation of either of the turbines 6 or 7.

Manifestly, the construction shown is capable of considerable modification, and suchv modification as is within the scope of my claims, I consider within the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a marine vehicle, injector kmeans therein opening onto the bow and stern portions of the same, fluid operable means communicating with said injector means and adapted to be selectively connected to the vehicle propeller shaft, a source of compressed air within the vehicle connected to the inner. ends of each of said injectors, means for supplying compressed air to said source and maintaining the pressure thereof, and other means connected to the inner poitions of said injectors for maintaining a partial vacuum therein, at times.

2. In a marine vehicle, injector means ar-v ranged longitudinally therein opening` onto the bow and stern portions of the same,

fluid operable means adapted to be selectivcouter ends opening onto the bon7 and stern portions of the vehicle, means for controlling the passage of' fluid to said injector means, Huid operable means in the vehicle comnninicatable with said injector means and adapted to be selectively connected to the propeller carrying shaft of the vehicle, a source of compressed air Within the vehicle, valved means connecting said source of compressed air with the inner ends ot said injectors, and other means communicating with the inner portions of the injectors for maintaining` a partial vacuuni therein.

4. ln a marine vehicle, fluid injector means arranged therein and extending longitudinally of the same to points intermediately of the body of the vehicle, said injector means tapering inwardly throughout their respective lengths and having oppositely curved branch extensions Jformed upon their outer ends opening onto the opposite sides of the bowl and stern portions of the vehicle, valves means for controlling the passage of fluid through said injector means,l fluid operable means in the vehicle communicating with said injector means adapted to be selectively'connected to and to transmit rotary motion to the vehicle propeller shaft, and auxiliary motive means in the vehicle communicatable with the inner ends ofV said injector means.

5. ln a marine vehicle9 injector means arranged therein and extending` longitudina-ll;v through the same, said injector means each comprising tubular members tapered inwardly throughout their respective lengths and having oppositely curved branch cxtensions carried on their outer ends opening onto the opposite sides of the bow and stern portions of the vehicle, valve means for controlling the passage of fluid through said injector means, fluid operable means inl the vehicle communicatable With said injector means7 one of said fluid operable means being permanently connected to the vehicle propeller shaft and the other thereof being adapted to be detachably connected to said propeller shaft? air compressing means Within the vehicle7 a reservoir receiving such air from said air compressing means and cominunicatable with the inner ends of said injector means, and suction creating means in the vehicle communicating with the inneil ends of said injector means.

In witness whereof I have hereunto setnxy hand.

JULIAN P. HENDRIGKSON. 

